Dyzzleberry Dictionary ::Time on Planet Authair

Authair revolves around the center of gravity between its two suns (Olym and Valym). The measure of time for one revolution is determined by the annual closest approach to a third sun of the three star system. The third sun is Proxi. It too revolves around the other two suns, but has an extremely long period of revolution. To determine the length of an Authairian year, the Authairians mark the year's beginning when Planet Authair is the closest to Proxi. Each revolution of Authair about its orbit between the two suns, olym and Valym, takes the equivalent of 12 earth years. The closest approach of Planet Authair to its 3rd sun, Proxy, has a biological significance for life on Authair just as does the effect of the lunar cycle to that of life on Earth.

Authair rotates on an axis that is parallel to its axis of rotation around the center of gravity between its two suns. The direction of rotation is the same as that of its revolution. The daily rotation of planet Authair defines another, shorter, unit of time called an Olym. Each daily rotation requires 20 Olyms. One Olym is equivalent to 100 minutes earth time. Thus, each Authairian day is equivalent to a little more than one earth day. Throughout the story, time is often referred to as a fraction of an Olym, such as 0.1 Olym (or about 10 minutes earth time).

Each pole of Authair points directly to one of the two suns, Olym and Valym. Two cultures evolved that hold their respective sun in reverence. Thus, Authairians living on the hemisphere facing Olym call themselves Olympyons and those living on the hemisphere facing Valym call themselves Valympyons.

Olympyons use time units of Olyms and Valympyons use time units of Valyms. One Olym time unit is equal in value to that of one Valym time unit.

The poles of Authair always face one of the two suns. It is never night on the planet and Authairians never experience darkness. They are naturally very afraid of the dark. If an Authairian resides on one of the poles, the sun never appears to move. Near the equator, an Authairian would observe the sun to travel in a small circular path each day, but would still never experience darkness.